Keep up to date with the work of the international disaster relief agency's work around the world

ShelterBox Australia Newsletter – November 17

More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for sanctuary in Bangladesh

As world news continues to be dominated by the Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh and Myanmar, I’m proud to say that newly qualified Australian ShelterBox Response Team Volunteer, Tommy Gray has deployed to help continue our response. Tommy typifies our volunteers, having already given up 2 weeks of his time to SRT selection and training, completed 50+ hours of pre-course study and put his hand up to help out with our recent USOPs course (see details below). He will now spend the next 3 weeks in Bangladesh helping some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Many of our other volunteers have been busy promoting ShelterBox and raising much-needed funds for disaster relief. These volunteers, like our donors, are an essential part of the ShelterBox team. If you would like to give some time to helping those affected by disaster, check out our website at:

This month’s quote comes from H Jackson Brown Jnr, “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

DEPLOYMENTS

BANGLADESH – Floods and Rohingya Crisis

Recent Monsoon rains in Bangladesh were reportedly the worse for four decades, with a third of the country affected by flooding. According to the Shelter Cluster, overall response to the floods has been slow, with much effort diverted to the Rohingya Crisis in the South of the country. ShelterBox was one of the few actors responding to the floods in the North. Distributions are now complete, with 3000 families provided with emergency shelter and essential items like mosquito nets and solar lights. Our response would not have been possible without the help of The Rotary Club of Dhaka Kawran Bazar, The Rotary Club of Rhangpur and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

Recent violence in Rhakine state in Myanmar has prompted a rapid exodus of ethnic Rohingya across the border into South Eastern Bangladesh. According to Relief Web, 621,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25th. ShelterBox is working with the International Organisation for Migration, who has distributed 8000 tarpaulins, blankets, water carriers and 8000 Luminaids. We are now looking to partner with local NGO, BRAC to further expand our response. Australian SRT volunteer, Tommy Gray has deployed to Bangladesh as part of this response.

CARIBBEAN – Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Hurricane Irma made landfall on northeast Caribbean islands during the early hours of 6 September. Two million people were exposed to winds in excess of 215 km/h.

ShelterBox Response Teams in the Caribbean continue the complex task of evaluating need and delivering emergency shelter to the families that desperately need it. In Antigua and Barbudawe have provided 147 ShelterKits and 123 tents, as well as household relief items such as water purifiers and carriers, solar lamps and mosquito nets.These efforts will support Barbudan returnees as they work to repair and rebuild their homes. 300 additional tents are in transit.

In Dominica the team is conducting post-distribution monitoring across the four communities in ShelterBox’s area of operations. Gaps not covered by the first distribution of ShelterKits have now been filled, with 498 households having benefitted from our support. The team has distributed 1435 solar lamps and other aid Items to affected households in the same communities.

In the Dominican Republic, the Habitat For Humanity team has been in the field for the past week, continuing training and distribution, and conducting post-distribution monitoring to ensure families are using the kits in the best way and progressing towards recovery. Latest confirmed numbers are 335 Shelter Kits distributed to families

Cameroon – Conflict

The militant group Boko Haram has been waging an insurgency in Northern Nigeria since 2009. Violence has since spread into the border regions of Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Since 2015, ShelterBox has been supporting remote distributions in Cameroon with the help of our in-country partner, IEDA Relief. Distributions have focussed on Minawao Refugee Camp and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) just outside the camp. 862 semi-durable shelters have been constructed (888 more will be constructed in the coming months). 445 AMG tents and other essential items have been distributed in Minawao camp. In addition, 100 SchoolBoxes, 5000 packs of school supplies and 1,032 Hygiene Kits have been distributed.

ShelterBox is also active in Somaliland, responding to drought and disease, and the Chad Basin, and Niger responding to conflict and displacement. Our long-term projects continue to help displaced families in Iraq and Syria.

FUNDRAISING & AMBASSADOR NEWS

Do you want to do something to help those in need?Join us on the ShelterBox Nepal Trek 2018 and help ensure no family goes without shelter following disaster or humanitarian crisis.

Trek the majestic Annapurna region and raise funds for ShelterBox. Every step you take you helps us rebuild communities after disaster strikes.

ShelterBox Australia has partnered with Inspired Adventures to bring you an enlightening and engaging experience. For details see:

Tenterfield Rotary’s annual ‘Jazz in the Bush’ was held earlier this month with ShelterBox the chosen beneficiary. The event took place at the historic Steinbrook Hall and attendees were treated to champagne on arrival and a 3-course lunch with entertainment provided by jazz combo, The Essential Collective. The event was supported by local wine makers, the Brass Monkey Brewery and local food producers. Club members worked hard to create a fantastic event at a great location. It is hoped that the event will have raised over $2000 for disaster relief!

Understanding ShelterBox Operations (USOPs) Course, Brisbane

ShelterBox Australia held its first ‘Understanding ShelterBox Operations’ Course from 17th -19th November at the Allawah Scout Camp, near Ipswich, QLD. Otherwise known as ‘USOPs, the two and half day course aims to immerse participants in the complexities of disaster response and experience scenarios from real deployments. ShelterBox Australia CEO, Mike Greenslade said, “USOPs is a great opportunity for our volunteers and donors to get some hands experience with some the aid we deploy and gain an insight into the workings of a disaster relief deployment. We plan to run similar courses in the future at different locations around the country so that we can cater for our volunteer and donor base.”

If you’re running in the event and want to raise even more money for ShelterBox, why not create your own fundraising page at: Create Your Own Page

Have you held a successful fundraising event or are you planning one? Please send me the details, including images, for inclusion in the next newsletter and promotion on the ShelterBox Australia Blog at: